Landlord checklist
What you can do now
As a landlord, we know you need time and support to prepare your business for the changes. Here’s what you can do now to get ready for the first phase of implementation:
- Read the new GOV.UK guidance to familiarise yourself with the changes
- Sign up to email alerts via GOV.uk so you know when:
- The official government information sheet is published (you’ll need to give this to your tenants, if you have an existing written tenancy agreement)
- The new rules for future written tenancy agreements are published
- Think about how you’ll update your rent increase processes so they’re compliant with the legislation on 1 May 2026
- Plan how you’ll update your website – if you have one – and any internal documents to reflect the new rules
- Review your mortgage, insurance, and tenancy agreement documents for clauses that restrict tenants with children or those receiving benefits. These are nullified as part of measures to prevent rental discrimination
- Plan now to make sure any property lettings adverts that you intend to publish after 1 May 2026 include the asking price. You won’t be able to ask for, encourage, or accept offers above this price from that date
What you'll need to do next
There are other things that you’ll need to do in early 2026 to keep on top of the changes:
- You’ll need to give a government-produced information sheet to your existing tenants which will explain what the new rules might mean for their tenancy. This will be published by GOV.uk in March 2026
- If you create a new tenancy on or after 1 May 2026, you’ll need to provide the tenants with certain information about the tenancy in writing. You could do this in a written tenancy agreement. Further guidance will be published in January 2026 to give you time to update your tenancy agreement templates
- You’ll need to familiarise yourself with the new tenancy forms required for taking possession of your property and for rent increases. GOV.uk will publish these forms, along with guidance, in early 2026
- If you’re a student landlord and want to use Ground 4A to evict your tenants in future, then you’ll need to write to them to let them know. GOV.uk will publish further guidance on how to do this in March 2026
If you don’t comply
It’s important that you comply with the new laws when they come into force on 1 May 2026. If you don’t, you may:
- have to pay a financial penalty of up to £7,000 or £40,000 (depending on the nature of the non-compliance) imposed by your local council; or
- be prosecuted by your local council in the magistrates’ court and be liable to pay an unlimited fine
In addition, you may also have a Rent Repayment Order made against you if you commit certain offences,requiring you to pay up to two years’ rent to your tenant or local council.